The Denver Broncos faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in an evening holiday contest. It proved to be a high-energy game that kept football enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. While not visually appealing and much closer than anticipated, the Broncos managed to defeat the Chiefs at Arrowhead, securing their 13th victory of the season. Here are some immediate observations from the day’s contest.
Denver’s offensive unit dictated the game’s tempo and possession.
The Broncos’ offense struggled significantly last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. They had a critical need to begin tonight’s match against the Chiefs effectively. Their opening drive consumed eight minutes from the clock. This 15-play, 52-yard progression culminated in a 27-yard field goal by Wil Lutz, providing Denver with an early advantage.
Regrettably, their subsequent possession turned into a complete catastrophe. Bo Nix overthrew Marvin Mims wide left with an inaccurate toss, misread an RPO on second down, and had his third-down attempt targeting Lil’ Jordan Humphrey deflected and intercepted by Nick Bolton, directly leading to a Chiefs touchdown.
Denver’s third possession showed little improvement, ending in a punt after only 7 plays and gaining just 14 yards. Nearing the conclusion of the first half, the Broncos started to move the ball with some effectiveness. An extensive 17-play, 84-yard drive seemed destined for a touchdown. However, multiple dropped passes by Courtland Sutton in the red zone forced them to settle for another Lutz field goal.
The Broncos accumulated merely 151 total offensive yards in the first half. They achieved 10 first downs and maintained possession for almost 20 minutes of play, yet surprisingly found themselves trailing 7-6 at halftime. This outcome was a direct result of numerous dropped passes and a crucial turnover.
Denver’s initial drive of the second half was another protracted effort. After advancing 82 yards across 18 plays, Nix executed a 9-yard scramble to put the Broncos ahead, consuming 10 minutes from the game clock. With the score tied at 13-13 in the fourth quarter, the offense once more engineered a commanding drive that significantly reduced the time remaining. A monumental 20-play, 60-yard march concluded with a Nix pass to RJ Harvey for a touchdown. The subsequent extra point then gave Denver a 20-13 lead. This play ultimately proved to be the decisive factor in the game.
The Broncos’ offensive scheme heavily relied on short passing plays. The absence of Luke Wattenberg likely contributed significantly to this approach. Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo frequently called for interior blitzes and pressure that proved challenging to manage early on. This strategy unsettled third-year player Alex Forsyth and created difficulties for both Ben Powers and Alex Palczewski, who rotated at left guard. Nix often found himself scrambling out of the pocket, struggling to achieve consistent success while throwing on the move.
Fortunately, protection for Nix greatly improved in the second half. I appreciate Denver’s sustained commitment to their running game, evidenced by 31 carries for 129 yards. While this averages just over 4 yards per carry, it undoubtedly helped alleviate some of the pressure on Nix. They will need to maintain this ground game success in Week 18, with the top seed and the AFC West title hanging in the balance.
A rested defensive unit stifles Chris Oladokun and the Kansas City offense.
The Broncos executed a high volume of offensive plays. They dominated the clock and nearly every statistical offensive category imaginable. With three drives extending beyond eight minutes, the defense benefited from the advantage of being well-rested on the road.
Although Vance Joseph’s squad faced challenges due to Nix’s first-half interception and some subpar special teams play, they ultimately performed sufficiently to secure the victory. Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun had a limited impact. He completed 13 of 22 passes for 66 yards and 1 touchdown. The Chiefs collectively gained less than 150 yards of total offense.
Given these statistics, it’s quite remarkable that the contest remained so competitive. Next week, they are scheduled to confront a considerably superior quarterback in Justin Herbert. And indeed, that matchup will present a formidable challenge for the defense. Hopefully, they can rise to the occasion and exhibit a much better effort in generating pressure and intensifying their attack.
Bill Vinovich and the officiating crew? Concerning!
You are all aware that I generally avoid critiquing officials and rarely do so in these columns. However, I believe Bill Vinovich and his team made several questionable calls this evening.
The pass interference penalty assessed to Patrick Surtain II against Xavier Worthy on a clearly uncatchable ball—what exactly was that? Evan Engram’s offensive pass interference in the third quarter—he certainly did not push off. Ben Powers’s inexplicable false start earlier in the game—what were they penalizing him for, merely existing? Those three instances stand out vividly in my memory as egregious decisions.
The Chiefs incurred no penalties through the first three quarters. Their initial infraction—a truly pivotal moment—was an offsides call on 4th and 2 with two minutes remaining in the game. I was surprised Head Coach Sean Payton chose to design that particular play, but it ultimately succeeded. For what it’s worth, I felt the Chiefs evaded numerous holding penalties during the game’s final drive.
The AFC West Championship and the #1 Playoff Seed are within reach.
Unattractive victories remain victories. I have expressed this sentiment multiple times this season, and tonight is no different. Had the Broncos suffered a loss, their prospects for securing a first-round bye and homefield advantage would have drastically diminished. They can clinch the division title if the Houston Texans defeat the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. If that scenario does not unfold, Denver will need to take care of business in Week 18.
Next week’s confrontation with the Chargers holds immense importance, irrespective of Sunday’s outcomes. Should Denver triumph, the #1 seed becomes theirs, as does the AFC West title if the Texans stumble this weekend. While Broncos supporters are undoubtedly pleased with the Christmas gift of victory tonight, a standout win over Los Angeles next weekend would represent one of the most significant and memorable achievements for the franchise since their Super Bowl 50 triumph.
